By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer

Every day I wake up and thank God for another day. It’s not a big ceremony. It’s just something I do to calm my soul. I am a blessed person and I feel it’s important to acknowledge that fact.

When I was a little girl, my parents made sure I always said “Thank you” for the things I was given. I never took anything for granted. A kind word, a small token, I was always appreciative. Even as an adult I keep “Thank you” notes in my desk, ready to send to those who have looked out for me, or been there when I needed them most.

Doctors say giving thanks, taking the time to notice positive things in your life is not only good for your psyche but it’s good for your body. University of California at Davis researchers found that practicing gratitude can lower your blood pressure and make you feel less hostile. Grateful people are less angry, less negative and usually look for the cup half full. Studies by Cornell University researchers have shown that those who are thankful appear to have lower risks of developing phobias, alcoholism, even depression. They even have stronger immune systems.

And while Thanksgiving is a perfect time to stop and give thanks for things you have, psychologists say it shouldn’t be the only time of year you do it. Being thankful, I mean REALLY THANKFUL, should happen every day. I know in these tough times of foreclosures, unemployment and a bear market, many people think they don’t have much to be thankful for. But, as my grandmother used to say, “if you’ve got your health and are surrounded by the people you love, then you are fortunate.” I am a very fortunate person.

While Thanksgiving is a U.S. holiday, ALL of us can make a resolution to wake up and express appreciation for the things we feel grateful for. Take a moment each day to thank a co-worker, your spouse, your child, a friend, the guy who holds the door open for you, or the waitress who brings you coffee with a smile, and see if you don’t feel a little better after doing it.

What are you thankful for? How do you express it? What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Please let us know.

Editor’s Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer

l love my iPod. From Etta James to Roy Rogers, my playlist is pretty diverse. Each song is part of who I am. And I guess I have a lot of parts, because I’ve loaded over 4,000 songs into that tiny device. I take it with me everywhere. On the train, in my car, on trips, I even have a port in different rooms of my home. There’s just something about music that makes me feel good. Even on a very bad day, my tunes can calm my inner “savage breast.”

So it was no surprise when I read, that researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center had found that listening to your favorite music may be good for your cardiovascular system. That’s right: Beyonce, Kenny Chesney and Joshua Bell could be good for your heart! Now before you replace your statins with an MP3 player and Yo Yo Ma, listen up. The study was tiny — only 10 people, but this is the same group of doctors that conducted the “laughter is good for your heart” study a few years ago. “We had previously demonstrated that positive emotions, such as laughter, were good for vascular health. So, a logical question was whether other emotions, such as those evoked by music, have a similar effect,” says principal investigator Michael Miller, M.D., director of preventive cardiology at the UMM. “We knew that individual people would react differently to different types of music, so in this study, we enabled participants to select music based upon their likes and dislikes.”

In the music study, participants listened to pieces they enjoyed and picked themselves. In another phase they tuned into music that made them anxious and in a further setting, they listed to music designed to relax them. After each session, a number of their larger blood vessels were scanned and measured through a special ultrasound device. Researchers were looking at the endothelium, or the lining of the blood vessels, and its response to the musical stimuli. By looking at these images doctors found that when participants listened to music they really enjoyed, the average blood vessel diameter increased by 26 percent compared to not listening to music at all. That’s even better than relaxing music, which opened the vessels by 11 percent. And while listening to music that caused listeners anxiety, like heavy metal or rap, the blood vessels narrowed by 6 percent compared with music such as country, gospel, pop and rock and roll.

Could other types of music produce similar positive effects on blood vessels? It’s possible, Miller said. “The answer, in my opinion, is how an individual is ‘wired.’ We’re all wired differently, we all react differently. I enjoy country music, so I could appreciate why country music could cause that joyful response.” Miller believes the physiological impact may also affect the activity of brain chemicals called endorphins. “The emotional component may be an endorphin-mediated effect,” says Miller. “The active listening to music evokes such raw positive emotions likely in part due to the release of endorphins, part of that mind-heart connection that we yearn to learn so much more about.
“Needless to say, these results were music to my ears because they signal another preventive strategy that we may incorporate in our daily lives to promote heart health.”

This morning the traffic was brutal and the train was packed. I forgot my briefcase and my computer was giving me problems. But it didn’t matter. Because I just pushed the “PLAY” button and let Ella sing my cares away.

Do you believe music is good for your health? Tell us about it.

Editor’s Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer

Two of my closest friends aren’t speaking. Since the summer, neither can be in the same room the other; it’s like putting two pit bulls in the same cage. What caused their falling out? Was it money, job conflicts or a bad relationship? Nope, blame politics. One strongly believes Washington needs a change and the other thinks we should put a maverick in the White House. It’s gotten so tense, no one wants to be around them.

Political experts say this is one of the most passionate presidential races in modern history. Mix together, liberals, conservatives, the economy, the war, gay rights, Social Security, health insurance, abortion, race and feminism and you’re bound to hit a couple of nerves. Psychiatrists are calling it “election anxiety.” The viciousness of the campaign is literally making people sick, to the point where many are looking for medication to calm their nerves. Some voters are so anxious, they can’t sleep at night for fear their candidate will not win. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the U.S., making it the most common mental illness in the country. Some anxiety disorders can be brought on by the uncertainty of our country’s future. But don’t look for relief at the voting booth. Many analysts warn the anxiety may not go away just by pushing a lever and watching the election results. If your candidate loses, it could start a whole new case of panic attacks and fears.

So what to do? Anxiety is usually caused by change, any change — a new president, a job move, the loss of a loved one. An anxiety disorder may result from a mixture of all or some of these factors. Stress is your body’s response to change. Exercise helps your body relieve stress. It also will make your body stronger and better able to handle stress. What’s the best type of exercise to improve the way your body reacts to anxiety? Think aerobics. Getting your heart rate up and sweating can actually reduce stress. Doctors say, start gradually. Taking a walk a little bit every day is a good beginning. In Washington, D.C., where politics rules, Washington Sports Clubs actually offered a class called VOTERobics, where members could spin on “right wing” and “left wing” bikes, take aerobic lessons to music “Hail to the Chief” and “Born in the USA” and wallop punching bags with Barrack Obama and John McCain masks attached to them. Although it’s all in fun, the idea of getting political frustrations out as you worked out, seemed to help.

You also can make changes in your diet that can rid you of anxiety, the APA says. Consuming a healthy diet filled with protein, veggies and fruits will make you stronger and help you cope with stress better. Drinking a lot of coffee? Try to cut down. Caffeine is a stimulant that can leave you feeling nervous. In large quantities it can cause panic attacks. And if you smoke, watch the nicotine, another stimulant to avoid.

And think positively. Sure, it’s easier said than done, but adding a little laughter in your life, even if your candidate loses the election can help you cope with the the next four years. But doctors say, if the anxiety continues long after November 5, you may want to see a therapist.

As for my friends, it’s hard to tell whether they will ever speak again. Chances are their political passions may simmer down after this Tuesday and they could be buddies again before the inauguration. And that’s positive, because according to mental health experts, making peace and forgiving one another is the best way to get rid of unwanted anger.

Are you feeling “election anxiety”? If so, tell us about it.

Editor’s Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer

I have a friend who cheats on his wife constantly. What’s worse, all his buddies know about it. Even his wife knows. On the surface, he’s a nice guy, charismatic, a caring father, and a hard worker. He just can’t stay faithful. His loving spouse continues to forgive him even though they’ve gone through years of therapy. He swears he loves her. He insists he tries to stay away from other women, but still his eye keeps wandering.

I am sure psychiatrists will tell you this guy needs help, but scientists say his behavior could be caused by his genetic makeup. That’s right: Some of us may or may not have what researchers call the monogamy gene, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

By looking at different versions of the common field or vole mouse, researchers injected the non-monogamous meadow vole with the monogamy gene from its close cousin the prairie vole. After receiving the gene, scientists found a noticeable change in the meadow vole’s behavior. Instead of mating and immediately moving on, (the ol’ love and leave ‘em tactic) the meadow vole showed more of an attachment to its mate.

So the big question is, could this keep wayward folks from cheating? Would wives or husbands be able to poke a syringe into a wandering spouse’s tush and regain marital bliss? Scientists say hardly. It seems the monogamy gene is broken down into three parts: lust, romance and attraction, and in many cases they don’t work together. Which is why doctors say, someone can have a strong attachment to one person and be madly in love with someone else.

That’s unfortunate, because in today’s world, where recent polls show many men and women cheat on their partners, and cases of HIV and STDs continue to rise, being monogamous might be a safer, healthier and happier way to live.

What do you think? Let us know how you feel about monogamous or non-monogamous relationships? We’d like to know.

Editor’s Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer

I come from a family of cataract sufferers.    My father had cataract surgery a few years ago. My mother has the beginning of cataracts.   So does my husband.  Even my dog has a cataract!

A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s crystalline lens.  When we’re born, the lens is clear.  As we age it begins to build up a film producing a cataract. Doctors say people who are developing cataracts begin to notice that they have glare and halos at night.  They don’t want to drive in the evening.  They might have double vision from one eye.  They need more light to read or they can’t read as long as they’d like. 

Everyone who ages will eventually get a cataract.  The good news, it takes time.  According to Dr. Marguerite McDonald, an ophthalmologist at NYU  “cataracts usually grow very slowly throughout life.”  That’s why I always thought cataracts affected older folks, usually over the age of 60. In the United States, about 50 percent of those between the ages 65 and 74, and 70 percent of those over age 75 have a cataract.

Women are affected more frequently than men. African Americans lose their vision from cataracts at twice the rate of Caucasian Americans, primarily due to lack of treatment.  But now eye doctors are saying younger people are becoming more susceptible to developing cataracts because of a number of factors.

Let’s start with the sun.  Lots of young people need to watch their sun exposure.  Dr. McDonald says “the only effective thing you can do to retard the formation of cataracts is to wear UV-blocking sunglasses and to put a UV blocking clear coating on your regular glasses.”   I’m lucky, because I always wear my sunglasses … even indoors while shopping.   But if you don’t like wearing sunglasses, wear a hat or anything with a  brim to keep the sun out out your eyes.

And, ophthalmologists say, check your family history.   Since both my parents have cataracts, I need to let my eye doctor know so he can keep an watch on any signs of early cataract growth.

Diabetes is also a factor.   The condition is one of the main causes for fast forming cataracts.   So physicians say watch what you eat; avoid fatty, sugary foods.  And get off the couch.   Keeping fit and eating a good diet can keep anyone from developing  Type 2 diabetes.

Smoking and alcohol can also increase the risk for cataracts.  People who smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day have twice the risk of nonsmoker of developing cataracts … and long term abuse of alcohol can rob the body of certain vitamins … that can lead to early cataract development.

And watch what  medications you are taking.  Certain meds can cause early cataracts, especially steroids.  But drugs for heart conditions, cholesterol and epilepsy can also produce premature cataracts.  So it’s best to talk with your family doctors about the prescriptions you’re taking.

Are you developing cataracts?  How much of a problem are they?   Let us know.

Editor’s Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer

I love the beach.  But the sun and surf don’t like my skin.  I cover myself with SPF 40 and limit my time outdoors but still I come out with blotchy skin, redness and peeling.  It hasn’t always been this way.  When I was younger, I would get a great tan - with freckles.  But as I got older, the great tan went away. Little did I know I may have been damaging my skin.  

Dermatologists believe that how we treat our skin in our 20s will have a huge impact on how our skin ages. Dr. Thomas Nigra, a dermatologist with Washington Hospital Center, says, “What you do in your teens and 20s shows up in your 30s. So what you do in your 30s doesn’t really mean a total protection because you’ve already done a lot of damage that results in your skin sagging in your late 30s.”

Small lines and wrinkles begin to show on the face. More sun exposure means more wrinkles.  The reason?  Too many UV rays from the sun.  “The light penetrates deeply into the dermis.  It then causes the collagen and the elastin to get lax and the skin sags,” Nigra says.

Some sunscreen can protect you from further damage. But not all sunscreens are the same. According to a recent survey by the Environmental Working Group, many sunscreens don’t adequately do the job.  The consumer advocacy group says look for ones that protect against UVA and UVB rays. If all those letters are confusing, think of UVB as the burning spectrum – “B” for burning and the A spectrum as “A” for aging.  And then look for protection against both in a sunscreen.

Also products that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide do a good job with an SPF of 30 or higher if you’re sunbathing and an SPF 15 on a daily basis.  If you are around water, make sure your sunscreen is waterproof, not water resistant. To keep skin from drying, use a moisturizer at night, especially after a day in the sun.

As we get into our 40s and 50s, we start to get age spots.  Doctors recommend retinoids, which are a chemical form of Vitamin A.  They help clear up some of those spots and rejuvenate the skin.

Also watch for skin cancer.  Although skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and melanoma can happen at any time, more cases are reported in this age group.  Also keep an eye on moles and dark spots.  They could be signs of developing cancer lesions.  

Do you love the beach or being out in the sun?  How do you protect yourself from aging and harmful rays?   Let us know.

Editor’s Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer

My friend takes a lot of vitamins.  In fact, in one day, she probably washes down the entire alphabet.  I have often wondered, as I watch her take glass after glass of water to swallow them all, why?  Is it really necessary to take that many supplements?

Nutritionists say no.   According to Katherine Tallmadge of the American Dietetic Association a multi-vitamin once a day is fine.  The best way of getting your vitamins, she says, is to eat foods that are loaded with nutrients. “Many studies are showing that vitamin supplements do not get the same results as vitamins from food,” she says.   So that means eating goodies rich in calcium, Vitamin A,B, B12, C and E.   And as we age, it’s even more important to get these supplements into our diets in order to stay healthy.

At any age, but especially as we get into our 30s, calcium is important.  Most people think calcium plays a bigger role in our golden years, but doctors say the more calcium you put in your body as a young adult, the stronger your bones will be as you get older. That’s because as we reach 30 we begin to lose bone and muscle mass.   So fill up the breakfast table with low-fat milks and yogurts. And look for foods rich in magnesium and vitamin K for muscles. And don’t forget vitamin D.  It helps your body absorb calcium into the bones.  You can get it from sunshine, but getting enough of it that way can be a challenge with a busy schedule.   In fact Tallmadge says, “vitamin D is hard enough to get in food…vitamin d is the only nutrient I recommend that you get from a supplement.”

Also in your 40s and 50s start thinking about your heart.  Tallmadge notes, “a big factor is preventing heart diseases.  I would say the B vitamins are very important - folic acid, vitamin B 12 - those B vitamins are very important for keeping homocysteine levels down. which is an emerging risk factor for heart disease.”

So turn to whole grains, broccoli and low-fat animal products, like lean meat and chicken.  All of these can help keep the circulation system healthy.

And of course, eat lots of veggies and fruits.  And don’t forget the omega 3 fatty acids found in oily fish, walnuts and flax seed.  They’re also important for prevention of heart disease because they can reduce inflammation, blood clots and keep blood pressure down.  They can also be important for the brain.  Studies have shown people with high Omega three diets, have less depression, and fewer cases of dementia and Alzheimer’s.  

As for all the vitamin supplements, talk to your doctor.  They aren’t necessarily bad for you, but taking too much of one vitamin or combination of vitamins could cause problems.  Nutritionists say, balance it out.  It could help you feel healthier and cut down on your vitamin bill.

Do you take vitamins… which ones and why?  We’d like to hear about it.

Editor’s Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

 
By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer
 
My father is a World War II vet. As a corpsman in the Pacific campaign, he was in the first Marine battalion to enter the city of Nagasaki after the bomb was dropped.
 

To this day, he doesn’t talk about it much.

I would imagine the images of such devastation would live with someone forever. Yet, when my dad got back to the states after the war, no one ever asked him about his experience. No one offered any type of counseling or therapy. He returned to his hometown in upstate New York and went on with his life.

It was not until he was in his late 60s that anyone from the government thought to get in contact with him They sent him a questionnaire, asking him what he had experienced after he had been in the first nuclear war zone. Was he suffering from illnesses? Did he have trouble breathing? How much exposure did he have to radioactive chemicals and residue? What were the effects on his health? Did he glow at night? (OK, they didn’t ask him that but you get the idea.) Forty years later, the Department of Defense wanted to know. By that time he could have died from all sorts of complications. Luckily, he had not. But who’s to say what happened to his comrades?

Thousands of military men and women come home to this country, maimed and scarred, both physically and mentally from the horrors of fighting a war. Although the armed services offers more help to active military now than during my father’s time in the service, sadly it is not enough.

Military and Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals are overcrowded. Staffing, especially for mental health, is at an all time low. According to the Pentagon there are only 1,431 uniformed mental health professionals in uniform for all the services. The VA offers more therapists, but it’s still not enough to provide care for all those who need it. That means many vets must seek private therapy, which can be very expensive. Disability checks often don’t even cover their basic health-care needs.

Today, the military is seeking help from the private sector, asking therapists to volunteer an hour of their time to help vets suffering from such mental conditions as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. And therapy is important. If these vets aren’t treated, the VA says, this country could see higher rates of substance abuse, marital problems and suicide in our military. Even though veterans from my father’s era are dying and the total number of vets is decreasing, the Department of Defense expects to spend close to $60 billion to compensate wounded soldiers over the next 25 years. Even the presidential candidates have made increasing funding to help the returning vets a campaign priority. Will it be enough? Only time will tell.

Every Memorial Day, my dad goes down to the World War II monument in Washington, D.C., to pay tribute to those friends who fought next to him and died for their country. He’s not alone. Around the corner people, of all ages bow their heads and wipe away tears as they read the names on the Vietnam Memorial. And on the opposite side of the grassy Mall, others gaze at the stone soldiers that grace the Korean Memorial. It is important to remember. Yet, as we honor the men and women who died for this country today, let us also think of those who lived and came back home. Shouldn’t they be given the same honor and respect we give to those who are no longer with us?

What do you think? Should this country be doing more for the American Vet when it comes to taking care of their health?

By Val Willingham
Medical Producer

I have never been one for running out and getting medical tests.  Even though I work in the CNN medical unit and report on the importance of preventive medicine, I always seemed to lag behind on mammograms, physicals and exams.  So when I got my first colonoscopy a few months ago, even I was surprised that I took the time to do it.

When I was younger I saw my doctor once a year but as I got older and became a mom, I sort of put myself on the back burner.  My daughter’s health, my husband’s health, even my dog’s health were more important.  I used to squeeze in my own medical appointments between work, tennis practice, play rehearsals and driving lessons. The only time I saw a doctor was in the emergency room for minor cuts and scrapes.   So after my daughter went off to college, I began to reevaluate my health and realized I needed to get back on track.   I scheduled a mammogram, a physical, dental and eye exams and the colonoscopy.   As I ticked off my medical “to-do list” it felt good to know I was taking better care of myself. 

Doctors say many busy women put off important tests because they just don’t have time.  They seem to focus on other things or other people instead of themselves.  And that’s not good, because in order to stay healthy women should be getting certain tests every year. (Watch Video)

Beginning in our 30s or younger, women should know their numbers, their cholesterol, their blood pressure and how much they weigh.  The American Heart Associations says heart disease is the Number 1 killer of women.  Physicians say the focus on heart health should begin at a young age.  That means exercise and eating a healthy diet that’s low in sodium and fat and high in Omega 3 fatty acids.  And be sure to load it up on fruits and veggies.

Regular breast exams, pelvic exams and pap smears also are important, and some women may want to consider adding more calcium to their diets for strong bones.

In our 40s, women are generally encouraged to begin getting regular mammograms. Although there’s been some controversy on this topic, the American Cancer Society says mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early. The earlier it’s found the better chance of survival.

In our 50s, women should get colonoscopies for detection of colon cancer… and we must keep up with regular checkups.

So if you are one of those women like me who’s been putting off important diagnostic tests, don’t wait any longer.  Give yourself a little medical “me” time and get back on a healthy track to life.

Do you get regular exams to stay healthy?   How difficult is it for you to keep up with medical appointments?   Tell us about it.

Editor’s Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer

When I was a little girl, my mother would get allergy shots. It was a big deal, because in my childlike mind, I could never understand why anyone would use a needle to get relief. But she was one of those people who was allergic to everything: pollen, ragweed, mold. She was miserable all year long. The shots helped her make it through the day. But as she got older, her allergies changed. She gave up the inoculations, took some over the counter medication and eventually weaned herself off the meds. The allergens just didn’t seem to bother her anymore.

Fast forward 30 years. My mom is now 83 and guess what? Her allergies are back. They’re not as bad as when she was in her thirties, but they effect her enough to alter her life. She avoids going out on high pollen days and keeps her windows closed; leaving the air conditioning on. She sneezes a lot and feels rundown from time to time. But she says they are still not as bad as when she was younger.

Doctors say the return of allergies as we get older is not unusual. Some people can have allergic reactions when they’re young and then never have them again when they hit middle age. Some sufferers are like my mother, who go for years without symptoms and then, wham -they come back. Or others can go their whole lives without allergies and then in their forties and fifties start to sneeze and wheeze.

Allergists say there are a number of factors that cause this. Dr. Jordan Josephson, an otolaryngologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City says, “Allergens are getting worse and worse. There are things called super antigens, which means that all the car exhaust and pollution that can link up with maybe mold and creating super antigens that people are more allergic to.” Dr. Josephson even mentions that global warming may play a part. As the climate of our planet shifts and our weather patterns change, allergen strains tend to become more potent.

Physicians also warn that as you age, allergies can become more of a health problem. Watch out if you are grabbing an over the counter medication for relief. If you’re taking prescription medicine for blood pressure or cholesterol, the OTC medication could cause some negative reactions. Dr. Josephson warns, “If you have heart problems any decongestants can adversely affect those heart problems. You have to be very, very careful and if you are a man and you are having a prostate problem, as men get older they tend to have that, antihistamines and decongestants can cause your prostate to act up and swell and can give you terrible urinary problems.” Stay in touch with your doctor and make sure you’re getting your allergies treated properly.

Are you an allergy sufferer? How have your allergies changed your life and what do you do to fight them? Let us know.